Interest in clean renewable energy has grown since global warming became a public issue. In a nutshell, clean energy is energy that is produced without emitting harmful byproducts like carbon dioxide, which is emitted by oil and coal refineries. Renewable energy is energy derived from nonrenewable natural resources such as water, geothermal heat, and sunlight. Both criteria are met by clean renewable energy.
Wind power, solar power, and water power are the three most common types of clean renewable energy. Wind energy is typically captured and converted into mechanical energy by wind turbines, which use spinning blades to capture and convert the wind’s kinetic energy. Windmills can be used to power grinders and other simple machines on a smaller scale.
Solar energy is collected using photovoltaics, which involves angling solar panels, or silicon cells, toward the sun to collect energy from its rays. When sunlight strikes a cell, it is absorbed and directed to a semiconductor. By drawing current into a generator, this semiconductor collects the energy from light and converts it into usable energy.
On solar-powered calculators, there is a very basic solar cell. Parabolic dishes are also used to collect solar energy, specifically heat energy rather than light energy. This is how a solar-powered stove, for example, works.
Water can be used in a variety of ways. Hydroelectric and ocean energy are the two types of energy used today. Dammed water flows through the dam and downward to power a turbine and generator in hydroelectric power plants. Because the water is not naturally contained and is supposed to flow downstream, it has a strong gravitational pull downward, resulting in a large amount of kinetic energy.
The action of tides generates ocean energy. This energy can be harnessed in a similar manner to hydroelectric power. It is more difficult to collect due to changes in movement caused by the earth’s rotation, including the effects of high and low tides. Because of the vastness of the ocean, it has the potential to be a significant source of energy in the future.
Hydrogen power, geothermal power, and energy generated from the use of ethanol and other biofuels are all examples of clean renewable energy that are being studied or put into practice on a smaller scale. Biofuels are commonly made from organic materials like corn. Another source of clean renewable energy is biomass, which is made up of decomposed plant and animal matter.
As the supply of nonrenewable energy sources such as petroleum, coal, and other fossil fuels declines, scientists continue to research clean renewable energy to ensure that people’s needs are met while the environment is protected. These studies also put scientific theories about energy to the test, look into environmental issues, and look ahead in terms of technological advancement. Clean renewable energy may one day be the only type of energy available, given the rapid growth in interest in non-renewables.